Blanched Asparagus Recipes

BLANCHED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Prepare 1 1/2 pounds medium-thick asparagus (see Rinse and Snap). Have a large bowl of ice water ready. In a large saucepan, bring 8 cups water to a boil. Season with 2 tablespoons coarse salt, and add asparagus; boil until tender, 3 to 4 minutes (depending on thickness).
• Remove with tongs, or drain in a colander, and immediately transfer to ice water for 1 minute to stop the cooking process. Drain; refrigerate until completely chilled.

ASPARAGUS WITH HOLLANDAISE

Steps:

• Hold both ends of a stalk of asparagus and bend it until it snaps. Then use a knife to trim the remainder of the bunch to match. Discard the trimmed stems.
• Bring a pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add the asparagus and cook, uncovered, until tender, 4 to 6 minutes depending on the thickness. Drain in a colander.
• Meanwhile, put the egg yolk, lemon juice and cayenne in a blender. Pulse a couple times to combine.
• Put the butter in a small microwave proof bowl and heat in a microwave until just melted. With the blender running, gradually add the melted butter into the egg to make a smooth frothy sauce. If the sauce is really thick blend in a teaspoon of lukewarm water to loosen it up.
• Transfer the asparagus to a plate. Pour the sauce over the top of the asparagus, sprinkle with more cayenne if desired and serve right away.
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BLANCHED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Place asparagus in a medium pot filled with boiling salted water for 40 seconds. Remove asparagus and serve with sea bass.

CRYO-BLANCHED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Dissolve the salt in the water. Rinse the asparagus and remove the small triangular scales that run the length of the stalk up to the tip. Leave the tip intact. Soak the asparagus in the brine for 10 minutes.
• Remove the asparagus from the brine and place it in vacuum-seal bags. Seal the bags and place them in the freezer. Alternatively, place the asparagus in zip-top bags, squeezing out as much air as possible, and place them in the freezer. Freeze for at least 8 hours and up to 24 hours.
• When the asparagus is frozen solid, remove it from the freezer, cut the bags open, and let the asparagus defrost in the refrigerator. Cut off the tough stem ends, then pat the stalks dry with a paper towel. The asparagus are much easier to clean after cryo-blanching. The asparagus is ready to be served or added to a cooked preparation.

PROSCIUTTO-WRAPPED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the asparagus, and cook for 5 to 6 minutes.
• Drain, and when the asparagus is cool enough to handle, wrap each spear with a slice of prosciutto.
• Brush the spears with oil, and season with salt and pepper.
• Set the grill on medium heat, and cook the asparagus for 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until the prosciutto is marked.

HEALTHY BLANCHED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add salt and return water to a boil. Prepare an ice-water bath. Peel lower two thirds of each asparagus stalk with a vegetable peeler. Place asparagus in boiling water and cook until tender, about 3 minutes. Drain and immediately transfer asparagus to ice-water bath until cool; drain.

ZESTY MARINATED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Blanch asparagus just until tender, about 1 minute. Plunge into a bowl of cold water to cool. Drain asparagus and place in a large resealable plastic bag. Pour in vinaigrette and seal bag. Refrigerate at least 3 hours, turning bag occasionally.
• Just before serving, drain asparagus, reserving vinaigrette. Arrange on a serving platter and sprinkle with lemon zest, parsley, salt, and pepper. Serve reserved vinaigrette in a small dish on the side.

HOW TO COOK ASPARAGUS (ROASTED, GRILLED, OR BLANCHED!)

Steps:

• Place in a large bowl or clean sink filled with cold water. Drop in the asparagus and swish it around to remove any errant dirt. Discard the woody ends of the asparagus by grasping the end of the spear with one hand and just above the middle with the other hand, then bend until it snaps in half. Discard the woody end.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Dry asparagus by rolling around on a kitchen towel. Place asparagus in large a bowl and drizzle with olive oil - about 1 tablespoon per pound of asparagus. Add a couple of pinches of salt and toss until coated. Spread the asparagus on a large rimmed sheet pan - a single layer is best! Bake, rolling the asparagus once or twice, until golden brown and tender, 15-20 minutes (check after 10 minutes if your asparagus is very thin). Add additional salt to taste. Serve.
• Preheat grill on medium-high, about 450 degrees. Place asparagus in a bowl and drizzle with olive oil - about 1 tablespoon per 1 pound of asparagus. Add a pinch of salt and toss until coated. Lay spears on the grill. Close grill for a couple of minutes then open and turn asparagus with tongs. Cook for 2-3 more minutes, turning once or twice more, until the asparagus is tender and charred in spots. Remove from grill and serve, adding more salt if desired.
• Fill a large pot about halfway with water. Fill a large bowl with cold water and a few ice cubes, then set aside. Place the pot over high heat and bring to a boil. Add the asparagus. Cook for 2-3 minutes, until just tender. Using tongs, transfer asparagus to the bowl of ice water. Dunk a few times then remove from water and finish however you like - marinate in , saute in butter or olive oil, add a pinch of salt ... your choice!

BLANCHED VEGETABLES BACK TO BASIC'S

Steps:

• Trim vegetables by removing tough skin and chopping into bite size pieces.
• Keep stem separate form tender heads.
• In a large pot of salted boiling water add the thick stems for 1 minute then add the more tender tops of the vegetable and cook for 1 minutes. Remove and add to water bath to chill and stop the cooking.
• Save for when you want to get the meal finalized. Or add right to a pan with butter, oil, garlic, nuts what suits your fancy stir fry for 1-2 minutes, seasoning with seasoned salt and enjoy.